On Monday, January 19th, we kicked off our winter ID circuit with the Aurora Preseason ID, held at the Sports Zone in Aurora, IL. This event was host to roughly 50 players from around the state and allowed all in attendance to showcase their off-season gains in a pro-style workout. 

Today, we continue our post-event content with a look at every single infielder from the day, including a top-5 ranking of who our staff thought showed the best on the day.

1B Joe Valenza (Plainfield North, 2027) is an uncommitted junior to follow this spring. Listed at 6-foot-2, 194-pounds, he has a physical, wide-shouldered build with some present strength, still holding room to add more muscle in the coming years. The left-handed hitter has a loose swing with power upside, showing the ability to naturally lift the ball in his round of BP. 

Two more physical bats that stood out are CIF Carssen Leming (Rockford Boylan Catholic, 2028) and 3B Abdul Matin-Smith (Southland College Prep, 2027) - both presenting strong frames and low-90s exit velocities. 

Top Infield Prospects 

1. Evan Jenks, Minooka (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 171 pounds. Mature, high-waisted frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide and spread out feet, long stride.  Easy power, uses levers well, natural lift and power pull-side, longer swing through the zone, flat path that works on top of the baseball.  77.2 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 mph max exit velocity (98.4 avg.); 393-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball, two hand gather out front, shuffle step to target, ranges well up the middle, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.04 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.94 Edge Score.

2. Connor Lamb, Plainfield East  (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 160 pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base, controlled move, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Athletic swing, clean operation, quick hands with a flat swing, works on top of the baseball with a line-drive approach, worked mostly pull-side. 66.3  mph bat speed with 15.6 g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92.3 mph max exit velocity (86.8 avg.); 322-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot. Throws flash carry.
Defense: Athletic footwork, bouncy actions, two hand gather into body, ranges well up the middle, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 23.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.05 Edge Score.

3. Andrew Miller, Conant (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 165 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, controlled move and stride.  Loose, athletic swing with length through the zone, intent to lift pull-side.  72.6 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (85.2 avg.); 324-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, one hand gather out front, deliberate transfer, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.63 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.64 Edge Score.

4. Ty Lotus, St Laurence (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-11, 161 pounds. Compact frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, short and simple stride.  Easy swing, some intent to lift at times, balanced with strength, can use the whole field.  69.6 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 mph max exit velocity (79.8 avg.); 311-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, two hand gather out front, clean actions, ranges well up the middle, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 8.15 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 47.02 Edge Score.

T5. Jameson Hanlon, Newman Central Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 160 pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Easy and simple stride, repeats.  Controlled load and move, stays short to the ball, pull-side intent, some natural lift pull-side.  67.9 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (83.5 avg.); 350-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather into body, stays behind the ball, moves well up the middle, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.45 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.86 Edge Score.

T5. Ryan Lotus, St. Laurence (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 185 pounds. Compact frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, wide and spread out, simple/minimal stride. Short and direct, easy with line-drive intent, feel to use the whole field, compact and simple swing.  63.7 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (79.4 avg.); 286-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Stays behind the ball, two hand gather out front, clean funnel into body, plays well on the move, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.56 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 66.8 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) 

Anthony Albano, Rockford Boylan Catholic (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160 pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Spread out base, quick toe-tap stride.  Quick hands, some twitch, works to stay middle of the field, steep path.   65.6 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (70.9 avg.); 300-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, ranges well up the middle, steady glove, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.64 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78.72 Edge Score.

Liam Allen, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-1, 180 pounds. Lean, athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Easy swing, some barrel feel up the middle, works on top of the baseball with a steep path.  64.6 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (89.1 avg.); 329-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, athletic actions, funnels ball into body, ranges well up the middle, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.50 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 61.8 Edge Score.

Tate Beran, Geneva (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-9, 158.3 pounds. Compact frame with present strength in the upper-half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, higher lift and place stride, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch.  Strong hands, works on top of the ball with a steep path, on the barrel up the middle.  63.8 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (80.9 avg.); 306-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, two hand gather out front, ranges well up the middle, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.12 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.33 Edge Score.

Ryan Cooling, Joliet Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 200 pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Weight starts off in back leg, longer and controlled stride.  Steep path, strong hands, pull-side and middle of the field approach.  69.1 mph bat speed with 16g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (86.9 avg.); 304-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, arm action high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, attacks the ball, slight glove-pat transfer, flashes range up the middle, reliable double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 8.33 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.75 Edge Score.

Giulio dEscoto, Kaneland (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 205 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with some strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Steep path, works on top of the ball, strong with some intent to lift at times, worked mostly pull-side.  70.5 mph bat speed with 22g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (83.9 avg.); 323-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Compact arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, funnels into body, quick transfer, flashes range up the middle, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.67 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 58.62 Edge Score.

Evan Francisco, Huntley (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155 pounds. Athletic, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, closed off setup, medium lift and place stride.  Longer swing, uses levers well, some feel to work up the middle, line-drive intent.  58.4 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 mph max exit velocity (74.9 avg.); 289-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the ball, clean two hand gather out front, ranges well up the middle, reliable double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.31 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 53.89 Edge Score.

RJ Halverson, Marmion Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 161 pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Long stride, gains ground to the mound.  Feel to use the whole field, on the barrel to the gaps, balanced, flat swing through the zone.  67.9 mph bat speed with 24g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (85.4 avg.); 319-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather into body, athletic actions, glove-pat transfer, ranges well up the middle, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.47 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.24 Edge Score.

Trevor Hinton, Oswego (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150 pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly closed off setup, short stride.  Works on top of the baseball, pull-side approach with line-drives.  58.7 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 mph max exit velocity (80.6 avg.); 273-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather into body, stays behind the ball, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 8.41 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.36 Edge Score.

Reece Huber, Maine South (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 175 pounds. Physical, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick, longer stride, gains ground to the mound.  Works on top of the baseball, longer swing, feel for the barrel up the middle, showed ability to turn on it pull-side and go with it the other way.  65.4 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (77.2 avg.); 331-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: One hand gather to the side, deliberate transfer, steady footwork, steady glove.
Athletic Testing: 7.70 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.43 Edge Score.

Drew Kirby, Paris (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 165 pounds. Athletic, trim build, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slightly open and works back to even, short stride.  Short to the ball, works on top with a steep path, worked mostly pull-side. 66.4  mph bat speed with 8.8 g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (77.8 avg.); 304-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, attacks the ball, quick shuffle step to target, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.72 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.20-inch max vertical jump. 

Jason Lach, Fremd (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 180 pounds. Trim, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, works back to even with a controlled stride.  Easy and loose hands, steep path, balanced, used the whole field.  61.4 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (82.6 avg.); 323-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Loose, compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hands gather out front, steady footwork, feel for the position.
Athletic Testing: 7.97 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 53.48 Edge Score.

Carssen Leming, Rockford Boylan Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-1, 220 pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, works back to even.  Strong, simple swing, quiet load and hands, balanced through impact, uphill intent, pull-side approach.  64.1 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (81.4 avg.); 317-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 63 mph. Short and clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, steady footwork.
Athletic Testing: 8.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.34 Edge Score.

Nick Lozano, Geneva, IL (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165 pounds. Trim frame with room to fill in the future. Long, loose-levered.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, medium stride,  relaxed with some rhythm.  Uphill intent, pull-side approach, loose swing.  71 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (78.2 avg.); 362-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, two-hand gather out front, clean transfer, smooth movements, ranges well up the middle, reliable double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.06 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.44 Edge Score.

Abdul-Matin Smith, Southland College Prep Charter High School (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-0, 200 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide and spread out base, long stride.  Longer swing with length through the zone, flat path with extension through impact, intent to lift, works uphill.  66.4 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (80.3 avg.); 260-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: One hand gather off to the side, flashes range up the middle, clean double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 7.16 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 57.46 Edge Score.

Xavier Moyet, Yorkville (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 145 pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open base, works back to even with stride.  Creates some length through the zone, intent to lift, middle of the field approach.  58 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 mph max exit velocity (69.7 avg.); 266-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, soft hands, reliable double play turn, flashes range.
Athletic Testing: 8.47 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 66.66 Edge Score.

Noah Neece, Sycamore (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195 pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Some intent to lift, middle/pull-side approach, longer swing with an uphill path.  72.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (86.3 avg.); 362-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, funnels into body, shuffle steps to target, athletic actions, feel for the position.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 61.2 Edge Score.

Chase Smith, Lake Park (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 180 pounds. Sturdy build with some physicality.
Hit: RHH. Longer stride, gains ground to the mound.  Short to the ball, flat swing, on the barrel up the middle, some feel to use the whole field,  66.6 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (80.5 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.34 pop time range; Two hand gather out front, stays behind the ball, steady double play turn.
Athletic Testing: 8.00 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.96 Edge Score.

Joe Valenza, Plainfield North (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 185.5 pounds. Lean, athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, hangs foot into a longer stride.  Longer swing, length through the zone, worked uphill at times, approach to the gaps and up the middle.  62.1 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 mph max exit velocity (76.4 avg.); 303-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 73 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot. Throws flash carry.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, steady hands, glove-pat transfer.
Athletic Testing: 7.58 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 71 Edge Score.

Joshua Wesby, Oswego East (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-9, 230 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open base, works back to even.  Bat-speed with a flat path, intentful, natural lift at times, pull-side approach.  77.5 mph bat speed with 22g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (95.7 avg.); 366-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 76 mph. Strong arm. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields the ball out front, steady hands, clean transfers, feel for the position.
Athletic Testing: 7.85 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.18 Edge Score.

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